This seemed to make little to zero impression on catch returns – as they were a mere drop in the ocean in comparison to the area of the lake.

Fast forwards to spring 2016 and a fantasticly generous grant from The Hamilton Davies Trust saw us changing our restocking policy and instead of stocking large numbers of small fish, we decided to go for lower numbers of bigger (more expensive) fish. So using the grant from HDT we bought 350 x 1lb tench.

Cracking new tench for the Old River Irwell in Irlam

It took 10 trips with the bin to and from the pick up truck – great to see so many big fish being stocked

We then spent the rest of the year improving pegs and building access steps.

This winter, we have stocked 75 2lb+ common and mirror carp – see video below

And then followed this up with another 15o tench between 10 inches and 2lb see videos below

At long last – anglers are now beginning to enjoy great sport again on the Old River – go down give it a try and then tell us how you get on.

We have a long, and ever growing dialogue with the Environment Agency regarding the large number of pollution incidents which take place on the River Irwell system…

In addition to this dialogue with the EA about incidents… we are also in regular contact about the long standing poor (but improving) chemical content of the water…… and the frequency and volume of legal discharges of raw untreated sewage from our local utility company

Here is an update on some of the recent pollution events.

Crown Oil, 10,000+ litres of heating oil allowed to escape into River Roch – – a 2012 Category 2 (significant) incident resulted in the company receiving a formal caution. A 2014 incident was attended but not substantiated

Briggs Demolition – long term effects of poor enforcement? (Diffuse pollution from illegal landfill site, already prosecuted by the EA and let off by courts with reduced fine to enable environmental clean up which has never taken place. Ongoing pollution from this site results in massively depleted kick sample results downstream of this point.)Our enforcement was completed several years ago. This is now a contaminated land site for which queries should be addressed to the local authority – a further update on this site is that UU are considering remediation works to enable access to their sewer network – this has to be good news

Warth Fold Hydro – built without a fish pass! – regularly breaches abstraction consents by running all the river flow through its turbine and sometimes taking more flow than the river has, thus depleting pool above, then drying out river below while the pool above the weir refills. Also EA have allowed the hydro operator to but batons on top of the weir to increase the head of the retained pool of water above the weir, and direct more flow through the turbine!!! How can any of this be legal? – No response from the EA – update 2017 The EA cannot enforce a fish pass be constructed on these dreadful schemes (example Bury Community Hydro)

Bury Waste Water Treatment Works – no screening on inlet (EA no comment – UU’s comment was that they don’t need one because the EA have never asked them to put one in) Assessment of the impact of this is ongoing in order to establish what improvements if any are required under forthcoming AMP schemes – SFAS will be asking for this practice to be reviewed in the next round of United Utilties Asset Management Planing 6

Fly Tipping in Bury and Radcliffe – using river banks as landfill – plus other industrial related fly tipping (neither EA nor Council take any responsibility) Not an EA Matter – Matter for Bury Council

April 2014 Irwell turns green – then white – no feedback – no prosecution of building site (EA claim no knowledge of this incident despite EA and UU responding) Polluter not identified no further action

April 2014 Wince Brook (EA investigated and found no evidence of pollution despite photographs from anglers showing source of pollution and the river running milky white) Polluter not identified no further action

SFAS have asked angling club members to report the worst/most foul sewage overflows – we have then taken this information forwards to UU and to the EA and asked for these locations to be investigated and prioritised..

We are very glad to report to members that our views and observations are both listened to and acted upon.

Some of the worst performing pipes are cleaned immediately… others are noted as being “in need of improvement”

We are pleased to inform you that the sewage overflows at Nuttall Park in Bury, Moses Gate in Bolton, Bury Bridge and Elton in Bury are now high on the list for remediation in the next round of capital spending from UU….. there are many more locations where the sewage system is going to upgraded which will improve the water quality of our rivers……… many many thanks to our members for highlighting the grot spots so that we have make those responsible aware,, and to encourage action…

Well done to all our members …. please keep the reports and photos coming in…

These rules printed in 1904 reflect the fact that Salford Friendly Anglers Society had dropped the financial side of their activities after the banking crisis of the 1890s.

The club continues to run to very simple set rules to this day – we prefer anglers to enjoy fishing in their own style – to use common sense and not be hamstrung by a huge list of pre-determined does and don’ts.

For anyone who is interested – today is the last day of the trout fishing season for this year – trout fishing starts again on the 15th March next year.

The reason for a trout close season exists- is to allow the fish to spawn in peace – and for the eggs and alevins to hatch and develop undisturbed by anglers feet.

A gentle reminder to all our members that we consider the River Irwell above Bury to be a trout fishery, the River Roch to be a trout fishery, the River Irk to be a trout fishery (yes we do!) and the Bolton rivers above the confluence of the Irwell to be trout fisheries.

Please refrain from fishing these waters during the trout close season – as there are plenty of other places to fish with bait and lures where you are much more likely to catch your target species coarse fish than the locations mentioned above.

IMPORTANT UPDATE – THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF KHV AT SALFORD QUAYS – BUT PLEASE CONTINUE TO BE VIGILANT AND REPORT ANY FISH WHICH YOU MIGHT CONSIDER TO BE IN DISTRESS

Four club members have walked the entire circumference of the Quays this morning (two groups of two). Conditions were perfect for fish spotting.

There are no signs of any fish in distress – there was one small carp dead floating in the corner of Ontario Basin – it had damage and maggots in its gills – highly likely that this fish was the one that was reported to be in distress yesterday..

So – our KHV scare is now hopefully over – please be extra vigilant so that we can respond immediately if there are mulitple fish deaths.

We have no regrets about raising this issue – better to be a PANIC FANNY and take the safety first option – than to ignore issues and hope they go away on their own..

As ever – being vigilant and reporting things is our best defence against disease – the most important way to prevent the transfer of disease is to dry out your nets and tackle between fishing trips !!

The club committee would like to thank the angler who reported this fish in the first place – well done.

IMPORTANT UPDATE – THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF KHV AT SALFORD QUAYS – BUT PLEASE CONTINUE TO BE VIGILANT AND REPORT ANY FISH WHICH YOU MIGHT CONSIDER TO BE IN DISTRESS

Four club members have walked the entire circumference of the Quays this morning (two groups of two). Conditions were perfect for fish spotting.

There are no signs of any fish in distress – there was one small carp dead floating in the corner of Ontario Basin – it had damage and maggots in its gills – highly likely that this fish was the one that was reported to be in distress yesterday..

So – our KHV scare is now hopefully over – please be extra vigilant so that we can respond immediately if there are mulitple fish deaths.

We have no regrets about raising this issue – better to be a PANIC FANNY and take the safety first option – than to ignore issues and hope they go away on their own..

As ever – being vigilant and reporting things is our best defence against disease – the most important way to prevent the transfer of disease is to dry out your nets and tackle between fishing trips !!

The club committee would like to thank the angler who reported this fish in the first place – well done.

A carp was caught today which showed possible symptoms of KHV

We are calling the EA first thing in the morning – and will take things from there………..

However until we are able to provide an update – its best if ALL ANGLERS treat the Quays as though KHV is present…….. please disinfect nets and tackle after use

Lets hope that the fish which was caught showing symptoms today – is located again quickly — will all anglers please keep their eyes skinned and report anything unusual/abnormal to us via admin@salfordfriendlyanglers.co.uk